OpenCL miner

2011-06-23T21:34:28Z

Bittornado: /* Requirements */

An '''OpenCL miner''' is a bitcoin miner that uses the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenCL OpenCL framework] to perform the [[hash|hashing]] computations. When used with a modern GPU, this can produce hash rates orders of magnitude higher than what can be achieved with a CPU.

==Overview==

OpenCL is a computing framework which allows programmers to write code which works across a variety of hardware, both CPUs and GPUs included. OpenCL was originally developed by Apple.

The use of an OpenCL miner allows one to hash using a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), which has a vastly larger ability to perform algorithmic calculations than an CPU (Central Processing Unit).

==Requirements==

Hashing on a GPU requires an OpenCL compatible ([http://developer.amd.com/gpu/AMDAPPSDK/pages/DriverCompatibility.aspx ATI/AMD]) or CUDA compatible ([http://www.nvidia.com/object/cuda_gpus.html NVIDIA]) graphics card.

The python [[Poclbm]] open source OpenCL bitcoin miner was created by m0mchil<ref>[http://www.bitcoin.org/smf/index.php?topic=1334.0 m0mchil's announcement on the forum]</ref> based on the open source CUDA client originally released by puddinpop<ref>[http://www.bitcoin.org/smf/index.php?topic=133.msg13135#msg13135 puddinpop's open source CUDA miner]</ref>.

Subsequently the java [[DiabloMiner]] based on m0mchil's was created by Diablo-D3<ref>[http://www.bitcoin.org/smf/index.php?topic=1721.0 Diablo's announcement on the forum]</ref>.

Puddinpop has also released a C++ OpenCL client capable of being compiled into the GUI client or daemon, or as a stand alone RPC miner<ref>[http://www.bitcoin.org/smf/index.php?topic=2444.0 puddinpop's RPC miners]</ref>.

Another miner was released by Jedi95 & CFSworks released [[Phoenix miner]]<ref>[http://www.bitcoin.org/smf/index.php?topic=6458.0 Jedi95 & CFSworks phoenix miner]</ref> which can work with memory underclocked to 300MHz and scans whole 2<sup>32</sup> nonce space.

BitTornado is another OpenCL Miner that supports ATI and NVIDIA Cards. It was released by Chris Evans<ref>[http://sourceforge.net/projects/bittornado/files/ BitTornado by Chris Evans]</ref>.

See the [[Mining Hardware Comparison]] page for detailed statistics on the hash rates that can be achieved with various hardware.

==See Also==

* [[Mining hardware comparison]]
* [[:Category:Miners|Miners]]
* [http://www.bitcoin.org/smf/index.php?topic=4308.msg62882#msg62882 ATI Stream SDK] downloads
* [http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=745 ATI Stream vs. NVIDIA CUDA - GPGPU computing battle royale]
* [http://www.overclock.net/graphics-cards-general/363095-processing-cores-vs-stream-processing-units.html Processing Cores vs. Stream Processing Units]

==References==
<references/>

Bitcoin Wiki - User contributions [en]

OpenCL miner